This invention relates to a de-icing system for reducer units of three wheeler gaseous fuel vehicles. The expression "three wheeler" vehicle in this specification will mean and include other vehicles as well, to which this invention is applicable.

The invention proposed herein seeks to de-ice reducer units by controlling their temperature with an electronic control unit or transistor controlled ignition.

According to the known art, normally, any gasoline three -wheeler will have a first stage reduction unit mounted on the CNG cylinder assembly. There is no temperature control unit for the first stage reduction unit. In installing such control, it is necessary to keep high operability of these devices without impairing robustness and drivability of the vehicle. Protection of these devices from the environment, to ensure the operation of the system with all vehicle running conditions like vibration, electrical noises, mechanical shocks, is necessary.

The known first stage reducer faces icing effect on the body which is caused when a gas suddenly expands from high pressure to low pressure resulting in a temperature change. This this leads to starting problems when the ambient temperature is already low, and power drop situations occur in full throttle condition.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a temperature controlled reducer unit system in a three-wheeler overcoming the above problems.

Normally, the first stage reduction unit is mounted on the CNG cylinder assembly and consists of a retainer for filter, an outlet to gas solenoid, a coupling screw to cylinder, a pressure gauge with sensor. The function of the first stage reduction unit is pressure reduction from 200 bar to 6 bar; gas level indication through the pressure gauge; gas filling through filter unit.

The known first stage reducer faces icing effect on the body as a result of Joule Thompson effect. This leads to starting problem when the ambient temperature is low, as well as power drop ensues in full throttle condition.

As stated above, normally, the first stage reduction unit is mounted on the CNG cylinder assembly. The first stage reducer unit consists of the following parts: a retainer for filter 32, outlet to gas solenoid 33, coupling screw to cylinder 34 and pressure gauge with sensor 35.

The invention proposed herein operates under the following conditions:

Condition 1: If the first stage reducer unit temperature is less than specified value,
then the relay shall be ON for specified time to maintain a predetermined
temperature to avoid icing
Condition2j_Relay shall be OFF for specified to time avoid drawing of current
from battery which is of the order of 14 Amps
Condition3i If the temperature is less than specified value. Repeat condition 1
In other words, this invention is operative when the temperature sensor output mounted on the first stage reducer unit is less than a specified value, engine rpm is as per specified value and throttle position sensor output is less than specified value.

The de-icing system for the reducer unit of a three wheeler gaseous fuel vehicle, according to this invention, comprises a temperature sensor mounted on the first stage reducer unit; a throttle position sensor; a glow plug, and means for switching the glow plug ON, whereby when the temperature sensor output is less than a predetermined value, the engine rpm is as per predetermined value and throttle position sensor output is less than a predetermined value, the said means are actuated to switch ON the glow plug, to increase the first stage reducer unh temperature, thus avoiding icing effect.

This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, and not by way of limitation, its embodiment wherein

Fig. 1 illustrates a view of a three-wheeler;
Fig. 2 illustrates a circuit diagram for the existing transistor controlled ignition unit;
Fig. 3 illustrates circuit diagram for proposed transistor controlled ignition unit;
Fig. 4 illustrates the arrangement of glow plug, glow plug housing, temperature sensor, and first stage reducer unit.
Fig 5 illustrates the circuit diagram for the electronic control unit

Any known three wheeler, as illustrated in fig. 1, can be divided into three major portions, the front portion F, the middle portion M and the rear/tail portion R. The front portion F comprises the steering 1, front wheel with brakes 2, front suspension and fender 3, wind shield 4, wiping system 5, dash board with control switches 6, Head lamp and side indicaor 7. The middle portion M consists of the driver seat 8, CNG cylinder 9, First stage reducer Unit 28, Hand start link rod 10,"B"pillar 11, and "B" pillar partition wall 12. The rear/tail portion R comprises engine assembly 13, petrol tank 14, rear wheel with suspension 15, cabin assembly 16, passenger seat 17,"C" pillar 18, rear combination lamp assembly (LH & RH) 19, silencer assembly 20.

Transistor controlled-.Ignition Unit 21 will get supply from battery22.
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Pulsar coil 23 will generate pulses according to the running speed of the engine. Based on

input from pulsar coil 23, throttle position sensor input 24 and change over switch input

25, the transistor controlled ignition unit 21 will furnish an output to the HT coil 26.

The embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig.5

When the temperature sensor 27 output that was mounted on the first stage reducer unit 28 is less than the predetermined value, if the engine acceleration is beyond a predetermined value and if the rate of change of throttle position is beyond a predetermined value. The TCI unit 21 will switch ON the relay 29 that is connected to glow plug 30 .The glow plug 30 will increase the first stage reducer unit temperature to avoid icing effect. The glow plug 30 consists of heating element inside. The glow plug 30 will increase the first stage reducer unit temperature, when the glow plug is switched ON. This will avoid icing effect due to "Joule Thompson effect".

According to a variation of the embodiment just described, with an electronic control unit 32 in place, when the temperature sensor27 output mounted on the first stage reducer unit 28 is less than a specified value, engine rpm is as per specified value and throttle position sensor 24 output is less than specified value, the electronic unit will switch ON the glow plug 30. The glow plug will increase the first stage reducer unit temperature to avoid icing effect.

It will be appreciated that various other embodiments of this invention are possible without departing from the scope and ambit thereof

We Claim:
1. A de-icing system for the reducer unit of a three wheeler gaseous fuel vehicle comprising a temperature sensor mounted on the first stage reducer unit; a throttle position sensor; a glow plug, and means for switching the glow plug ON, whereby when the temperature sensor output is less than a predetermined value, the engine rpm is as per predetermined value and throttle position sensor output is less than a predetermined value, the said means are actuated to switch ON the glow plug, to increase the first stage reducer unit temperature, thus avoiding icing effect.

2. A de-icing system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said means consist of transistor controlled ignition unit and a relay connected to the glow plug.

3. A de-icing system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said means consist of an electronic control unit connected to the glow plug.

4, A de-icing system for the reducer unit of a three wheeler gaseous
fuel vehicle substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figs.3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings